Ó Sé hits out at Kerry 'whingers'

Páidí Ó Sé has criticised the Kerry players for what he feels is their recent habit of questioning referees’ decisions, claiming it makes the players look like ‘whingers’.

Ó Sé told The Irish Examiner at the launch of his Tayto Longford Arms Comórtas Péile: "It’s a thing I have studied very closely. It’s the one characteristic I’ve noticed that has crept into Kerry football.

"It was never part of Kerry football, not when I was growing up or when I played or when I was manager.

"We’re getting into this habit of questioning decisions and getting into arguments and portraying ourselves as whingers.

"It’s something I’d like to see blocked out of our game. You train and prepare to do your job as a player - let the referee do his.

"They’re over-reacting at the moment, questioning a lot of what the referee is doing.

"But he’s not going to change his mind. They’re doing themselves more harm than good."

Ó Sé continued: "I can certainly tell you Jack O’Connor is not telling them to crib at referees. Jack wouldn’t be part of that, it’s not in his make-up.

"It’s only the players who must take it upon themselves to behave themselves. There’s a duty to play well but there’s also a duty to wear the jersey with respect and honour.

“We’re proud of our football in Kerry and every day we take to the field with the green and gold jersey is a proud day for us.

"It’s important to Kerry that this pride is developed and expressed on the field in the best way, not by giving out to the referee all of the time."